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French elegance meets practical travel planning when you understand exactly what Air France allows onboard and in the hold. The Air France baggage allowance operates on a cabin-based system where your seat class directly determines both quantity and weight limits for your luggage. From Economy Light fares with minimal inclusions to La Première’s generous three-bag allowance, knowing these distinctions before booking helps you choose the right fare and pack appropriately for your journey.
Air France Hand Baggage Allowance: Cabin Rules
The Air France hand baggage allowance varies significantly between Economy and premium cabins, creating distinct experiences even within the same aircraft.
Economy Class passengers bring one cabin bag measuring a maximum 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.7 x 13.8 x 9.9 inches) plus one personal item up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6 inches). The Air France carry on weight limits both items combined to 12 kg (26.4 lbs).
Premium Economy, Business, and La Première travelers receive two cabin bags (each 55 x 35 x 25 cm) plus one personal item. Premium Economy maintains the 12 kg combined limit on some routes, while Business and La Première enjoy an increased 18 kg (40 lbs) total allowance.
Important exception: Economy Light and Basic fares may include zero cabin bags, requiring purchase of overhead bin access separately.
Air France Carry On Size and Personal Item Dimensions
Understanding the Air France carry on size prevents gate-check surprises. Your main cabin bag must not exceed 55 x 35 x 25 cm, including handles, pockets, and wheels. This standard roller bag size accommodates weekend trips comfortably.
The Air France personal item size of 40 x 30 x 15 cm fits under the seat ahead of you. Acceptable items include purses, laptop bags, small backpacks, briefcases, and camera bags. This accessible storage keeps essentials within reach throughout your flight.
Cabin Baggage Summary by Class
| Travel Class | Cabin Bags | Personal Item | Combined Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 1 bag* | 1 item | 12 kg (26.4 lbs) |
| Premium Economy | 2 bags | 1 item | 12 kg** |
| Business | 2 bags | 1 item | 18 kg (40 lbs) |
| La Première | 2 bags | 1 item | 18 kg (40 lbs) |
*Economy Light/Basic may include 0 cabin bags – purchase required
**Premium Economy within Europe/North Africa/Israel limited to 12 kg; other routes allow 18 kg
Air France Cabin Baggage Allowance: Fare Type Variations
The Air France cabin baggage allowance creates confusion because fare names determine inclusions. Economy passengers might purchase “Light” or “Basic” tickets with no overhead bin access, requiring a separate payment for standard carry-on privileges.
This unbundled approach means the cheapest Economy fare doesn’t automatically include what most airlines provide free. Always verify your specific ticket’s cabin baggage inclusion before assuming you can bring a roller bag onboard.
Passengers can purchase cabin baggage online up to 4 hours before departure, typically costing €20-50 depending on route. Airport purchases cost significantly more.
Air France Baggage Policy for Checked Luggage
The Air France baggage policy for checked bags follows cabin class, with generous inclusions for premium travelers while charging Economy passengers on basic fares.
All checked bags must not exceed 158 cm (62 inches) in total linear dimensions when adding length, width, and height. Weight limits vary dramatically by cabin.
Checked Baggage Allowance by Cabin Class
| Travel Class | Number of Bags | Weight per Bag | Total Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Light/Basic | 0 (purchase required) | N/A | Pay per bag |
| Economy Standard | 1 bag | 23 kg (50 lbs) | 23 kg |
| Premium Economy | 2 bags | 23 kg each | 46 kg |
| Business | 2 bags | 32 kg (70.5 lbs) each | 64 kg |
| La Première | 3 bags | 32 kg each | 96 kg |
Air France Business Class Baggage Allowance
The Air France business class baggage allowance provides exceptional capacity for extended travel. Two checked bags at 32 kg each create a 64 kg hold capacity, plus two cabin bags and one personal item totaling 18 kg, giving Business passengers 82 kg total allowance—ideal for month-long journeys or equipment-intensive travel.
Business Class also includes priority baggage handling, meaning your bags typically arrive first at baggage claim and receive gentler handling throughout the journey.
Air France Premium Economy Baggage Allowance
The Air France premium economy baggage allowance sits between Economy and Business with two checked bags at 23 kg each (46 kg total). This substantial allowance accommodates longer trips without requiring upgrades to Business Class pricing.
Premium Economy’s two cabin bags plus personal item provide flexibility for organizing business documents separately from personal items, creating a more comfortable travel experience than single-bag Economy allowances.
Air France International Baggage Allowance Variations
The Air France international baggage allowance maintains consistent rules across most routes, though some regional variations exist. Flights to North America, Asia, and South America generally follow standard allowances, while certain destinations may have specific weight restrictions due to local regulations.
Flying Blue elite members receive enhanced allowances: Silver adds one extra bag, Gold receives one extra bag plus priority handling, Platinum and Ultimate members enjoy two additional bags. SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members receive equivalent benefits.
Air France Baggage Fees: Excess and Overweight Charges
Understanding Air France baggage fees helps you avoid expensive surprises. Purchasing additional bags online costs substantially less than airport counter fees.
Additional Baggage Purchase Pricing
| Route Type | Online (Advance) | Airport Counter |
|---|---|---|
| European Routes | €60-€90 | €100-€150 |
| Intercontinental | €100-€150 | €180-€250 |
| North America | €150-€200 | €250-€350 |
Overweight Fees:
| Weight Range | Fee |
|---|---|
| 24-32 kg (Economy exceeding 23 kg limit) | €50-€150 |
| Over 32 kg | Not accepted—ship as cargo |
Oversized Fees: Bags measuring 159-300 cm incur €100-€200 additional charges depending on route. Bags exceeding 300 cm cannot be checked as passenger baggage.
Special Items and Sports Equipment
Air France accommodates sports equipment within your checked allowance if size and weight limits are met. Popular items include:
Ski Equipment: One pair of skis with poles plus boots (separate bag) counts as one checked item when total dimensions don’t exceed 300 cm.
Golf Clubs: Standard golf bag with clubs qualifies as regular checked baggage within your allowance.
Bicycles: Require special handling with fees ranging €50-€150 depending on route. Maximum weight 23 kg, and the airline doesn’t include them in standard allowances.
Diving Equipment: Wetsuits, masks, fins, and regulators count as standard baggage. Empty scuba tanks permitted but not included in allowances; additional fees apply.
Musical instruments under 55 x 35 x 25 cm travel as cabin baggage. Larger instruments like cellos require purchasing an additional seat with 48-hour advance approval, maximum 45 kg per seat.
Infant and Child Baggage Allowances
Children over two years receive the same baggage allowance as adults based on their ticketed cabin class. Infants traveling on adult laps receive one cabin bag (12 kg, 55 x 35 x 25 cm) plus one checked bag up to 10 kg – except on Light/Basic fares.
Additionally, families check one collapsible stroller and one car seat free of charge, which don’t count against baggage allowances. Small foldable strollers measuring under 15 x 30 x 100 cm may travel in the cabin if space permits.
Tips for Managing Air France Baggage
Verify Your Fare Type Light and Basic fares exclude checked bags and sometimes cabin bags. Factor baggage costs into total trip expenses before booking.
Purchase Bags Online Adding checked or cabin baggage online saves 30-50% compared to airport counter fees. Buy as early as possible for maximum savings.
Use the Baggage Calculator Air France’s online calculator provides exact allowances for your specific routing, fare, and Flying Blue status, check before packing.
Weigh Bags at Home A luggage scale prevents overweight fees. Redistributing 3 kg between bags beats paying €50-€150 excess charges.
Consider Flying Blue Status Even Silver status provides valuable extra bag allowances, and Air France co-branded credit cards offer benefits approaching elite status.
Travel Light with Radical Storage
Exploring Paris during a long layover, arriving in Nice before hotel check-in, or departing Lyon after checkout becomes burdensome when carrying luggage through train stations, museums, and cobblestone streets. Radical Storage provides secure luggage storage throughout France and connecting cities worldwide, letting you drop bags at verified partner locations near airports, train stations, and tourist districts for a flat daily rate with comprehensive insurance coverage.
FAQs
Economy Standard includes one 23 kg bag; Economy Light/Basic requires purchasing checked baggage separately.
No, Economy receives one cabin bag plus one personal item (some Light/Basic fares exclude cabin bags entirely).
Economy: 12 kg combined; Business/La Première: 18 kg combined for all cabin items.
Yes, €50-€150 for bags 24-32 kg, depending on route; bags over 32 kg ship as cargo only.
Yes, one 12 kg cabin bag plus one 10 kg checked bag, plus free stroller and car seat (except Light/Basic fares).
Conclusion
The Air France baggage allowance rewards premium cabin passengers with generous limits while requiring Economy travelers to understand fare types carefully. From Light fares excluding all baggage to La Première’s lavish three-bag allowance, choosing the right ticket and purchasing extras online keeps costs manageable.
Verify your specific fare’s inclusions, use Air France’s baggage calculator, and buy additional bags during booking rather than at airports to maximize value on your French aviation journey.